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South Street Journal Bridgeport Investigation in Question

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South Street Journal Bridgeport Investigation in Question South Street Journal News for and serving: Grand Boulevard, Douglas, Oakland, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, Hyde Park, Near South, Gap, Fuller Park, Armour Snuam volumn 4 Number 6 April 4 - 24, 1997 Bridgeport Investigation in Question Yohance J. Lacour Bridgeport the following Thursday. Eddie Read, UnanswereStaff Writer- d questionpresidens to off witnesseCBUC (Chicago Blacsk Uniteandd other attackers lead to talk of cover up Douglas/Bridgeport —From the office President Communities) march to the scene of the crime Clinton, nearly everyone has heard via media or the following day. CBUC's march included de­ word of mouth of the vicious hate crime in livering a summons to De LaSalle High School, Bridgeport that left 13 year old Stateway Gar­ Patrick Huels, alderman of the 11th ward of dens resident Lenard Clark fighting for his Bridgeport, and Thomas Folliard, commander of young life. However, questions has still yet to be the 9th district in Bridgeport. fully detailed with answers in the three weeks Read stated "They are summoned to a public since the brutal attack took place, several ques­ hearing in the black community to answer why tionable developments have occurred. Bridgeport has the 2nd largest number of hate Left is Lenard Clark, who was beaten and left comatose by So far, the answers surrounding what tran­ crimes in Chicago and what is being done about mob of Bridgeport teens. Suspects from left to right: Michael Kwidzinski, 19, Frank Caruso, 17, Victor Jasas, 17. Three spired that afternoon has been reported as such: it. "White leadership must be held accountable more attackers identified by eyewitness but no further arrests Lenard, another 13 year old African American, for racist acts committed by their constituents," have been pursued. from Stateway Gardens and one Hispanic teen charged Read were riding their bicycles along the* 3300 block The next day. Rev. Jesse Jackson, president of What Happened, accompanying them on foot, keep up. He went on to tell reporters that while riding, of South Shields when three Caucasian males at­ PUSH/Rainbow announced the establishment of mere than three involved tacked them. Everyone was able to flee safely ex­ he noticed one white male running towards them a trust fund for Lenard. Joining support for the In the midst of political and community cept for Lenard, who was caught, beaten and ulti­ fund, Lew Collins, president of Illinois Institute from the east, while two others quickly ap­ protest, still lies unanswered questions. South mately left for dead a few blocks away on 31st of Technology located across of Stateway Gar­ proached them from the west. Once the attacker Street Journal spoke with Clevan Nicholson, the and Princeton where his comatose body lay sav­ dens on 35th Street and State, has announced a who was running alone was close enough, he ini­ 13 year old boy who accompanied Lenard Clark agely beaten in a pool of blood. university-wide effort to contribute too. Finally, tiated the attack by hitting Cleave. to Bridgeport from their Stateway Park resi­ "I heard one of the other two white men who CiimniMlty Outcry if Supptrt a third march to the site of the attack, led by an­ dence. According to Clevan, he and Lenard were ran up from the other direction say 'not him, he's The following morning it was not yet deter­ other group took place that weekend. riding their bikes in search of air for one of too little,' Then the one that hit me said, "so, f—- mined by investigators whether or not the attack Members of the Committee Against Violence Lenard's tires, so they travelled to a Bridgeport this nigger", Clevan told reporters. He barely es­ was racially motivated. Natural outrage and con­ and Racism (CAVR) have voiced concern with gas station where air is free. Upon entering caped, running on Shields to 35th Street and cern about authorities' handling of the crime, Rev. Jackson's "Healing Rally" at PUSH on Bridgeport, they met three Hispanics, ages 11, eventually home, where he relayed the story of various African-American community leaders 50th and Drexel, questioning his motives for 12 and 18, with whom they played nearly two what happened to his mother who immediately immediately called for protest. Rev. Al Sampson inviting the family members of Mayor Richard hours of football. Afterwards, they walked the notified police. of Fernwood Methodist Church, one of the orga­ Daley in particular. Lu Palmer of CBUC and youngest of the two Hispanic kids home and Unfortunately for Lenard as he ran, he led his nizers for the Million Man March and founder of CAVR have attempted to meet with Rev. Jack­ rode their bicycles slowly down the 3300 block Million Man March Inc., marched through son for clarity of the healing process. - (Continued on page 6) of Shields to let the older Hispanic, who was still Businesses Coming Holman Neighborhood ifeaith Center eiossny Together to Restore By Elaine Norwood Holman Neighborhood Health The latest meeting held April 1, didn't want to comment at the time, a Frank Ottman Center is transferring ownership, and 1997 at the Mid-South Planning and spokesman said, Bronzeville Kenwood ~ South Street Journal was management will be changed to Development, in a non-signing con- Valerie Adams, a registered nurse Douglas-(Bronzeville)—Many of contacted by a concerned community Komed Medical those who support the restoration of resident regarding what she thought to Center. Bronzeville including business people be the possible closing of the Chicago Tim Hadac, met last month, March 20, 1997, as Department of Health's, Holman spokes person for Alderman Madelene Haithcock ad­ Clinic, located at 4230 S. Greenwood. the Department of dressed a large turn out of community That the HNHC decision to close was Public Health, ex­ people in the 2nd ward who want to not made public leaving many people plained that the restore Bronzeville to its glory days. who use the health center left in the Holman Clinic is Bronzeville was once the Mecca of the dark. The resident's inquiry has just presently net­ black community in Mid-South dur­ about resulted in fact. working with a ing the 40s to 60s, but started a de­ Distrust over the same concern, non-for-profit cline due to businesses leaving the the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) health provider area. Now many are saying they want held a meeting March 25, at the Ken- that is exploring the Bronzeville of old back. necott Park Fieldhouse to assess the the possibility of The meeting started off with a con­ future of Holman Neighborhood bringing in their sensus by those businesses that would Health Center. medical staff and be supporting the restoration project The meeting centered on a possible expanding Health about to be undertaken. Draper and merger of Komed Health center on Care Services. • SSJ Photo by Don Carter Kramer gave their support for town- 43 rd and Vincennes to acquire Hol­ "This is not un- The Illinois Nurses Association held a meeting in March at the Kennecott Park Fieldhouse with houses for Bronzeville. Therefore, the man, with the staff of Holman upset usual explained community residents and staff of Holman Neighborhood Health Center to assess the future of people of the community would have they will be out of work. A previous Hadac health care Holman Center. The last community meeting was at the Mid-South Planning and Development more choices of living quarters; IIT is meeting was addressed at the Ken­ providers add to Commission in which the future of the Health center was to close.. going ahead with their program to wood ' Community Conservation their network if it will benefit and en­ tract (verbal agreement), the city, or and member of INA, informed South support the community. Father Council (KCCC) where Komed made hance services". "We're just in the Board of Health, plans to change Street Journal that her organization Michael of De La Salle Institute presentations to expand its operations listening and talking phase, no agree­ management to Komed Medical Cen­ will be making a rebuttal to plans of agreed to further invest in the black which included the possession of Hol­ ment has been made; but anytime a ter. "Komed will put its own people closing Holman as presented at the last community of Bronzeville's educa­ man. KCCC was presented plans be­ proposal is done, we want to make in most of the jobs," said a Mid-South Planning and Development tional endeavors. Harold Lucas, Exec­ cause the organization is the decision sure access is available for affordable spokesperson at the meeting, not utive Director and CEO of Black making body regarding city property. and quality services." wanting to identify herself. Komed (Continued on page 6) Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council Life Insurance Company said Douglas - Saturday March 22, at purpose of the service is to honor that they would be supporting the area Stateway Garden Clean Up the Stateway Gardens a clean up individuals between the ages of, as well. was under taken to rejuvenate 18 and 30 who have made a dif­ The new police station was on many grounds of the development. This ference in their community. On of those present minds, as was restor­ is the first part of cleaning up May 13, 1997, the Tomorrow 's ing the Armory at 35th. The police Stateway Gardens. In later Leaders Cultural Empowerment station would be going as planned, as months plans call for the planting through Literacy.will hold a cere­ would a restoration of the Armory agreed on. of flowers and other greenery at mony honoring 60 young adults Not all those present came forth Stateway.
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